The Anti Chelsea FC Conspiracy Resumes

Thibaut Courtois’s Red Card

I say Thibaut Courtois’ red card because the awarded penalty could easily have going either way, as even replays of the incident are still inconclusive as to whether the foul was committed inside or outside the 18-yard box. However, there is no questioning the fact that Thibaut Courtois did commit a foul on the advancing Bafétimbi Gomis.

But Mike Oliver’s decision to award Courtois a red card was clearly questionable. Video replays indicate that Gary Cahill was clearly in a position to prevent Gomis from scoring if he had managed to successfully get past Courtois. Also, Gomis was actually running AWAY from the goal-post, not towards it. Both situations clearly indicate that Courtois did not foul him to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity, with leaves the assumption that he was red carded for dangerous play.

Now if that foul could be considered dangerous play, how was Ospina’s foul on Oscar not considered same? The foul I am referring to occurred in the EPL away game against Arsenal (which was ironically officiated by Mike Oliver himself) where Oscar was hacked down by the charging David Ospina inside the 18-yard box after reaching Fabregas’ long ball from midfield. Oscar had to be treated for a lengthy spell after the foul, but neither Ospina nor Arsenal were penalized for the incident.

The foul was both dangerous play and preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity, because the closest player, Hector Bellerin, wasn’t even close enough to prevent Oscar from scoring if he had managed to go past Ospina, yet no penalty or booking was awarded.

Next: Williams's Foul